Qeshm International Airport operated 3,706 takeoffs and landings during the first 10 months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2019-Jan. 20), which indicates a 1% increase compared with the similar period of last year.
More than 319,873 passengers were transported during the period under review, indicating a 2% rise year-on-year.
Over 3,006 tons of cargos were handled during the same period, down by 1% compared with the corresponding period of last year, Iran Airports Company's latest report published on its website shows.
The airport operated 3,200 domestic flights during the 10 months, up 4% YOY. More than 284,529 passengers and 2,325 tons of cargo were transported domestically, indicating a 3% rise and a 1% decline respectively YOY.
On the international front, the airport operated 506 takeoffs and landings, down by 17% YOY. A total of 35,344 passengers and more than 680 tons of cargo were transported to and from overseas destinations, posting no change and a 4% decrease respectively compared with the corresponding period of last year.
From the 10th Iranian month's perspective (Dec. 22, 2019-Jan. 20), the airport operated 488 takeoffs and landings, which indicate a 1% decline compared with the similar period of last year.
More than 47,757 passengers and 439 tons of cargos were transported during the month, indicating an 11% and 5% rise respectively YOY.
The report shows 436 domestic takeoffs and landings were registered by the airport from Dec. 21, 2019, to Jan. 20, 2020, up 4% YOY. Close to 44,111 passengers and 382 tons of cargo were transported domestically, indicating a 12% and 17% increase respectively YOY.
On the international front, the airport registered 52 takeoffs and landings, showing a 13% decrease YOY. A total of 3,646 passengers and more than 57 tons of cargo were transported to and from overseas destinations, indicating a 5% and 37% decrease respectively YOY.
Qeshm is the largest island in Iran. It is located a few kilometers off the southern coast of Persian Gulf, opposite the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bandar Khamir.
The island, which hosts a 300-square-kilometer free zone jurisdiction, is 135 km long, and lies strategically in the Strait of Hormuz, just 60 kilometers from the Omani port of Khasab, and about 180 kilometers from the UAE Port Rashid.
Among Qeshm’s attractions are the exotically-named Valley of Stars with its gorges, canyons, mangrove forests and fishing villages spread along sandy beaches.
They have for years lured a smattering of local travelers and a few adventurous foreigners.
The Lonely Planet guide to Iran refers to Qeshm as “bliss for nature-lovers” and in 2017 it became a UNESCO Global Geopark.
